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Engine liftEngine lift description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070164263, Engine lift. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]The benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/759,867, filed Jan. 18, 2006, entitled ENGINE LIFT, is hereby claimed, and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by this reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]The present invention relates generally to tools and in particular relates to a tool used in the servicing and/or rebuilding of automotive engines. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]In servicing automotive engines, such as when rebuilding the engine, it is often necessary to raise or lower the entire engine or a major portion of the engine. Also, it often occurs that the engine needs to be moved about as well. This raising and lowering of the engine or moving the engine about occurs in automotive machine shops, automotive garages, and in home garages. [0004]Unfortunately, the engine in most automobiles is quite heavy. Indeed, even the engine "block" can weigh more than 200 pounds. The engine block is the basic structure of the engine and houses the crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, etc. Due to this substantial weight, it often takes two or more people to lift or lower an engine block. Additionally, for doing certain types of service operations on the engine block or when assembling the engine during rebuilding, the engine block typically is bolted to an engine stand to hold the engine at a comfortable working height of a few feet off the ground. Typical engine stands have a T-shaped base movably supported upon the ground by casters (wheels), an upright post, a tubular axle mounted to the post for pivotal movement, and a bolt plate welded to one end of the axle and adapted to be bolted to an engine block. It can take two or three people to lift the engine block and support it while bolting it to the engine stand. [0005]Accordingly, it can be seen that there is yet a need in the art for a device for raising and lowering engine blocks and engines and for supporting engine blocks and engines. There is also a need for a device that can assist in attaching an engine block or engine to an engine stand. It is to the provision of such a device that the present invention is primarily directed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006]Briefly described, in a first preferred form the present invention comprises an engine lift for raising, lowering and supporting an engine block or engine. The engine lift includes a movable base or frame that includes ground-engaging wheels and an elongate base that extends laterally. A support shelf is provided for supporting an engine block or engine and includes at least one non-marring surface upon which the engine or engine block can rest. A tool tray is positioned near the support shelf and an air cylinder is coupled to the movable frame for raising and lowering the support shelf. [0007]Preferably, the at least one non-marring surface comprises a pair of plastic strips upon which the engine block rests. Preferably, the engine lift includes a second tool tray, and more preferably the engine lift includes a tool holster for supporting and storing a bar-like tool. It is preferred that the elongate base comprises a pair of low-profile elongate base legs for slipping beneath the frame of a mobile engine stand (when used in conjunction with a mobile engine stand). [0008]Defined another way, the present invention comprises an engine lift for raising, lowering and supporting an engine block or engine. The engine lift includes a mobile frame including ground-engaging wheels and elongate base legs extending laterally. A support shelf is provided for supporting an engine block and includes a non-marring surface upon which the engine block rests. A lifting mechanism is coupled to the base for raising and lowering the support shelf. Furthermore, the engine lift is adapted to be used in conjunction with a mobile engine stand of the type having a base frame supported above the ground by wheels. The elongate base legs of the engine lift are made to be low-profile so as to be able to slip beneath the base frame of the engine stand. Advantageously, this allows the engine lift to be used to lift an engine up to the appropriate height for mounting to the engine stand, and rolled into cooperation with the engine stand, with the elongate base legs of the engine lift slipping beneath the frame of the engine stand so as to allow the two structures to come together enough to allow the engine being supported upon the engine lift to be transferred to the engine stand and vice-versa. [0009]Preferably, the lift mechanism comprises an air cylinder. Also preferably, one or more tool trays are positioned near the support shelf. Also preferably, a tool holster is provided for storing a bar-like tool. Moreover, preferably the support shelf includes a wheel for engaging the ground when the support shelf is lowered. [0010]Defined yet another way, the present invention comprises an engine lift for raising, lowering, and supporting an engine block or engine. The engine lift includes a mobile frame including ground-engaging wheels and base legs extending laterally. A support shelf is provided for supporting an engine block or an engine and includes at least one non-marring surface upon which the engine block can rest. A lift mechanism is coupled to the frame for raising and lowering the engine support shelf. [0011]Each of the forms of the invention described above has the important advantage of allowing a single user to raise, lower, and support an engine. The invention turns what otherwise is a two or three-person job into a one-person job. This improves safety and lowers costs. The invention also can be configured to advantageously provide various tools and parts in a handy location, using the tool trays and tool holster optional features. Also, the present invention simplifies the task of transferring an engine or engine block to or from an engine stand and reduces danger associated with the transfer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an engine lift according to a preferred form of the present invention. [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of the engine lift of FIG. 1, shown in conjunction with mobile engine stand (the mobile engine stand is shown with an engine bolted thereto). [0014]FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the engine lift of FIG. 2, shown with said portion slipped beneath a portion of the engine stand of FIG. 2. [0015]FIG. 4 is a schematic, front view of a portion of the engine lift of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0016]Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows an engine lift 10 according to a preferred form of the invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the engine lift 10 can be used to lift engine blocks or entire engines. The engine lift 10 includes a base frame 20 having a pair of wheels indicated at 21 and 22. The wheels have rubber tires 23, 24. The base 20 also includes a laterally extending base, here shown in the form of legs comprising first and second extensions or proximal leg portions 26 and 27, which together form a sort of yoke in that the proximal leg portions 26 and 27 are splayed apart. The legs also include end portions or extensions 28 and 29 which extend parallel to one another and at an angle relative to the first (proximal) portions 26 and 27. In a commercial embodiment, these end portions comprise sections of angle iron, preferably having a width of 3.5 inches and a height of 2.5 inches. The end portions 28, 29 preferably are 20 inches long and they are about 14 inches apart (measured across from one to the other they cover about 21.5 inches). Those skilled in the art will recognize that these dimensions can be varied. [0017]The lift 10 also includes a lifting mechanism indicated generally at 30. In the illustrative embodiment depicted in the drawing figures, the lifting mechanism 30 comprises an air cylinder. Air cylinder 30 includes a lower portion 31 welded to the base frame 20 and an upper, movable portion 32. An inlet coupling 33 is provided for attachment to a source of compressed air to allow the air cylinder to be operated. To raise the cylinder, pressurized air is brought in through the inlet coupling 33, while to lower the cylinder, air pressure is bled off. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other lifting mechanisms can be employed as desired. For example, a hydraulic cylinder could be used. Alternatively, an electric screw jack could be used. [0018]A support shelf generally indicated at 40 is welded to the upper portion 32 of the air cylinder 30 for riding up and down with the upper portion of the air cylinder. In this way, as the air cylinder is operated, the support shelf can be raised or lowered as well. The support shelf 40 includes a platform 41, a caster or ground-engaging wheel 42 mounted beneath the platform 41, and a pair of plastic, non-marring strips 43 and 44 extending along the platform 41. The platform 41 is longer than it is wide and provides a good, stable support for an engine or engine block to be rested thereupon. In this regard, the non-marring plastic strips 43 and 44 protect the engine or engine block from damage. Preferably, the non-marring plastic strips are mounted in such a way as to be easily replaced when damaged or worn. Continue reading about Engine lift... Full patent description for Engine lift Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Engine lift patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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